CSLFUP FIELD UMPIRE MANUAL FIELD UMPIRING WITH THE CSLFUP: This handbook is designed to introduce people to Field umpiring and for those with experience, refresh some of the specifics around this discipline of umpiring. It is only an introduction to the practice of umpiring and more detailed information will be given to umpires at coaching sessions held weekly. CSLFUP umpiring coaching programs are about: • establishing a positive learning environment for umpires • developing umpires • improving umpiring performances at all levels • building relationships within the CSLFUP CONTACTS: Your points of contact as a goal umpire should be as follows: Field Umpire Coach: Jason Edwards 0412429961 Email: [email protected] Assistant Field Umpire Coaches: Ian Curran, David Curran, David Popplewell CSLFUP Contacts Selection Secretary: Ian Curran 0412729396 Email: [email protected] Secretary: David Curran 0435657898 Email: [email protected] President: Roy Webb 0401121747 Email: [email protected] Umpires Representative: David Uthenwoldt 0417840360 Email: [email protected] CSLFUP Website - http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-6233-130348-0-0&sID=342564 CSLFUP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/cslfup/ Field Umpire Resources - http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-6233-130348-0-0&sID=390945 Resource Videos - http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=1-6233-130348-0-0&sID=413377 APPOINTMENTS: Appointments are managed by the Schedula online appointments system. All umpires are required to register via Sports TG as an umpire before being provided with access to Schedula. Appointments will be released each Tuesday evening. If you have been appointed to a match then you will receive an email notifying you of an appointment. You are then required to login to Schedula (www.schedula.com.au) to confirm your appointment. Appointments must be confirmed by as soon as possible. If you do not confirm by Thursday evening your match could be allocated to another umpire. Appointments take a lot of time to organise so please be respectful to our Selection Secretary by following this process. • All appointments will be performance based. • Keep your availability and unavailability in Schedula up to date. • Any special request must be received by Ian Curran ([email protected]) by Monday, midday before the weekend in question. • It is recommended to go into “Manage Your Profile” in Schedula to tick the box so all officiating umpires can see all umpires’ phone numbers and call if necessary. • Rotation will happen for all field umpires (if you have not been spoken to before appointments are emailed out and you are umpiring a lower grade, it is a rotation). • 3 umpires will be used for as many A grade games as possible • All Appointments will be posted on CSLFUP Website when finalised – CLICK HERE • We accept that unforeseen circumstances can arise after appointments have been confirmed. In this instance you must contact the Selection Secretary as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made UNAVAILABILITY: It is your responsibility to inform your coach and Selection Secretary if you are unavailable to umpire on a particular day by recording it in Schedula and by email or phone. If you know well in advance your unavailability especially during school holidays please advise the above as early as possible. If possible, we require at least two weeks’ notice. Information on how to use Schedula can be found - http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-6233-130348-0-0&sID=413376 REGISTRATION: ll registration to umpire with the CSLFUP is managed online, via Sports TG. A link to register with the CSLFUP can be found HERE (Green Button in top right corner). By registering with the CSLFUP you are also agreeing to the terms and conditions set out via Sports TG and the CSLFUP. These documents can be viewed HERE Registering to Umpire with the CSLFUP does not guarantee that you will be appointed to a game. This will be at the discretion of the Selection Panel. All Umpires over the age of 14 require a DCSI check. To arrange a DCSI, which is free of charge, contact the CSLFUP Secretary ([email protected]) APPOINTMENTS – SELECTION / CRITERIA: Regular Season – Lower Grades • Umpires WILL be appointed based on performance. • Performance is at the ultimate discretion of the Selection Committee. • Performance will include fitness level (which impacts on decision making), general skills (positioning at set plays, whistle, clear signaling), decision making (including knowledge of the laws of football and local by-laws) and overall communication (between umpires, players, coaches and officials). • Umpires will be appointed to a specific grade based on performance. • Umpires must have the fitness level required to umpire in the grade they are selected. • If an umpire fails to give notice via SMS, email or Schedula to the Selection Secretary, Senior or Discipline Coaches of their unavailability this may impact their selection. • Professional appearance and attitude on and off the field will be taken into consideration when selections are made. • In circumstances where an umpire has a genuine reason for not being at training and this is conveyed to the Selection Secretary, Umpire Director or Discipline Coach this will be noted. The umpire will continue to be judged on performance when selections are made. • Any other relevant factors may be considered when making selections. A Grade and Finals All Umpires wishing to umpire A Grade football and / or Finals are expected to train regularly at either Hackham or Encounter Bay and attend Panel Meetings. All criteria above also apply. Observers will endeavor to assess all Field Umpires at least 2-3 times every season. The Field Umpire will receive written and verbal feedback and video of their games if available. Each umpire is asked to assess their own performance, particularly if video of your game is available. We may also ask you to provide peer feedback. TRAINING: Trainings take place on Wednesday Nights at two separate venues – • Hackham Football Club – 6.30pm • Encounter Bay Football Oval – 5.30 pm PURPOSE OF THE LAWS: • To ensure the game of Australian Football is played in a fair manner and in a spirit of true sportsmanship. • To prevent injuries to players participating in a match so far as this objective can reasonably be achieved in circumstances where Australian Football is a body contact sport. SPIRIT AND INTENTION OF AWARDING FREE KICKS: It is the spirit and intention of the Laws that a Free Kick shall be awarded to: • Ensure that a Match is played in a fair manner; • Provide to a player who makes obtaining possession of the football their sole objective every opportunity to obtain possession; • Protect players from sustaining injury; • A player who executes a legal tackle which results in an opponent failing to dispose of the football in accordance with these Laws. GROUND RULES / GAME PLAN FOR CSLFUP UMPIRES: RELAX - HAVE FUN Make the most of the opportunity to be involved our great game of Australian Rules Football BE A TEAM PLAYER Represent the umpiring panel in a professional manner at all times Assist other umpires wherever necessary SET THE PATTERN IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES Stay alert Strong Whistle, Effective Communication, Clear Signals Ensure the players’ prime objective is the ball PAY THE FIRST OBVIOUS FREE KICK If they want to play footy, let them ERR ON THE SIDE OF THE BALL PLAYER PRIOR OPPORTUNITY - No red hot holding the ball decisions The high tackle is the most important free to pay TAKE CONTROL (When Required) Take positive action when required Have a presence when necessary Respectful Communication 50m penalty, yellow or red cards when required BE PROACTIVE WITH POSITIONING, REACTIVE WITH DECISION MAKING High work rate and high urgency = high performance Constant movement - must see the ball player’s head and shoulders Pay what you see, not what you think you saw COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH PLAYERS Umpire with your voice – Stop the game with your whistle Speak with offending players; let them know what they are doing wrong Talk to players in the same manner you would like to be spoken to KNOW WHERE TO FOCUS Umpire IN Control - 90% of the time - focus on the player with the ball NON-Controlling Umpire - 10% of the time focus on the player with the ball - 90% of focus on players in the anticipated contest WORK RATE Prepare physically the best we can 20 – 25m side on to the contest Trigger Points!! DON’T RELAX – ALWAYS UMPIRING Keep your vision on the last act of play when the ball is disposed of Don’t worry about any previous decisions – the next contest is the most important contest to concentrate on HOLD YOUR WHISTLE In a scrimmage where no obvious free kick is seen – HOLD YOUR WHISTLE Encourage the player to move the ball on, knock it out Minimise ball ups as much as we can CONSISTENCY AND POSITIVE APPROACH In everything we do, on and off the field ADVANTAGE: It is the player, and not the field umpire, who determines whether his team has advantage after a whistle is blown for a free kick infringement. The teammate “playing the ball” is the person who elects to take advantage by continuing to play on or not to take the advantage by stopping. The play must still be continuous to allow an advantage play. • It is important for the umpire to delay the advantage call to allow the player a chance to assess his options and hence make a decision to stop or to take the advantage. Once the player has elected to take the advantage and the umpire has signaled advantage, the ball can’t be recalled. There is No advantage: • for a Centre Square Infringement paid by a boundary umpire or for an Out of Zone Free Kick at a Centre Bounce.